NINE schools are set to permanently close roads during pick-up and drop-off times.

Southampton City Council has announced schools trialling the scheme will now adopt the measures permanently.

Road closures have been brought in to make the areas around the schools safer and greener.

The Southampton School Streets programme sees the road outside a school temporarily become a pedestrian and cycle zone during drop-off and pick-up times.

This allows families to travel safely to school on foot, by bike or by scooter.

The scheme removes traffic and stops cars on the school run from parking outside the school gates.

The schools permanently using the scheme are:

  • Shirley Junior School - Bellemoor Road
  • Shirley Infant School - Wilton Road
  • Mansbridge Primary - Octavia Road
  • Freemantle CE Community Academy – Mansion Road
  • Wordsworth Primary - Victor Street
  • Regents Park Community College - Richville Road
  • Valentine Primary - Valentine Avenue
  • Shirley Warren Primary - Warren Crescent
  • Mansel Park Primary - Porlock Road

These schools join St Mary’s, St Mark’s CE, St John’s and Cantell, who already have a permanent School Street in operation.

The roads will be closed between 8am to 9.30am and 2.15pm to 3.45pm, Monday to Friday.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh said: “I would like to thank all the schools who have participated in the School Streets trials so far, in particular their staff and other volunteers who regularly manage the road closure barriers.

"It is thanks to their dedication to creating a safe place for children and their families outside the school gates that these schemes have been as successful as they have.”